Problems · NHTSA complaints

2010 Cadillac DTS problems

Owners filed 22 complaints about the 2010 Cadillac DTS with NHTSA between Feb 2010 and Jul 2025. The most-cited component is electrical system (10).

Complaints
22
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system10
  2. Engine4
  3. Air bags3
  4. Seats3
  5. Steering1
  6. Fuel/propulsion system1
  7. Fuel system, gasoline1
  8. Engine and engine cooling1
  9. Suspension1
  10. Vehicle speed control1
  11. Service brakes1
  12. Exterior lighting1
  13. Wheels1
  14. Seat belts1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20104
20110
20120
20132
20146
20152
20160
20172
20182
20190
20200
20211
20220
20232
20240
20251

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

10 reports2 related recalls
“I was traveling on Stevenson expressway at 55 mph when the fuel pump relay overheated and melted, which burned up the REC (Rear Electrical Electrical Center /fusebox). When the fuse pump relay overheated it shut fuel down going to the fuel pump, which caused the engine to stall. When the engine stalled the car cut off, causing me to loose power steering. Because I was traveling in the middle lane of a three lane expressway at a high rate of speed, the vehicle started deaccelerating and I couldn’t control the vehicle with no power steering, I couldn’t get over to the shoulder. This nearly caused a wreck putting me in harm, because vehicles around me were accelerating at 55 to 70mph. All I could do is put my flashers on. Coast to a stop, and hope no one rear ended me, which nearly occurred. General Motors Cadillac division was aware of this possibility see: GLOBAL SAFETY FIELD INVESTIGATIONS DCS5755 URGENT - DISTRIBUTE IMMEDIATELY Date: April 14, 2021 Subject: REVISION: 18226-01 - Special Coverage Overheating of Fuel Relay or Motor Terminal Revised Service Procedure Models: 2008-2011 Buick Lucerne 2009-2011 Cadillac DTS To: All General Motors Dealers This…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 30, 2025Steering, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11677365

Engine

4 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CADILLAC DTS. WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OR PARKED, OIL LEAKED FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A QUART OF OIL HAD TO BE ADDED EVERY TEN MILES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE OIL PAN GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,389.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 16, 2018EngineODI 11120475

Air bags

3 reports2 crashes
“The vehicle "service Airbag " warning keeps flashing. Should I keep driving this vehicle, Is my safety and the safety of other drivers at risk? I've reported this to the GMC dealers in my local area, but the want to charge me $125.00 to $169.00 dollars to perform a diagnostic. My concern is for safety of myself and others. Can this problem be fixed at a minimal or no price.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 18, 2023Air bagsODI 11502415

Seats

3 reports
“HEAD RESTRAINT CANNOT BE ADJUSTED, WHICH CAUSES A DRIVING HAZARD. POSITIONED TOO CLOSE TO MY HEAD WHEN I SIT UP STRAIGHT, THE HEAD RESTRAINT CAUSES MY HEAD TO POINT TOWARD MY LAP . IF I POSITION THE SEATS BACK SO THAT I CAN LOOK STRAIGHT AHEAD WITH MY HEAD ERECT, THE SEAT BACK DOES NOT TOUCH MY SHOULDERS AND UPPER BACK AND I HAVE TO HOLD TIGHTLY TO THE STEERING WHEEL TO STEADY MYSELF TO BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR, WHICH IS BOTH DISTRACTING AND VERY TIRING. I AM 5'9", 133 #, SLIGHTLY BUILT IN THE SHOULDERS. MY HUSBAND HAS MORE SHOULDERS AND HAS NO PROBLEM. OUR 2006 CADILLAC DTS HAD ADJUSTABLE HEADRESTS, WHICH WE ADJUSTED EACH TIME WE USED ONE OF THE FRONT SEATS. IN THE 2010 DTS, I HAVE PUT THE SEAT BACK A FEW INCHES AND SUPPLEMENTED WITH A SMALL PILLOW TO SUPPORT MY UPPER BACK, BUT HAVING TO ADJUST THE PILLOW FREQUENTLY AFTER I TURN TO LOOK TO THE SIDE OR BEHIND, DISTRACTS FROM MY DRIVING. WE RENTED BOTH A 2009 HONDA ACCORD AND A 2010 FORD FUSION AND I HAD EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THOSE VEHICLES. OUR DAUGHTER AND HER HUSBAND RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2010 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE; SHE IS 5'4" AND SLIGHT AND HAS THE VERY SAME PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD RESTRAINTS AS I DO.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 30, 2010SeatsODI 10375870

Steering

1 report

Fuel/propulsion system

1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.